Please help me - behaviour issues

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Candy04

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Please please please, I need help & advice.. it will be greatly appreciated & recieved with huge thanks,

So, we have our rising 7 ISH mare, she is from fantastic breeding (Sligo Candy Boy) she is 16.2hh & was purchased for our show jumping inspired daughter to compete. We have owned her for almost 4 months, upon viewing (twice) & during the 5 stage vetting she was absolutely fantastic, daughter was jumping her within 15mins of getting on, she was everything we'd dreamed of & so much more, vet was in awe of her & we knew we'd be making the perfect choice... we'd seen & heard all previous history, she'd previously been owned by a 15yr old girl.. competed at big competitions with a British Showjumper, she was placid, calm & a dream to be around, couldnt believe our luck on finding her. we brought her home to a DIY livery that was a HUGE mistake, she was SUPER stressed, like we'd never seen, on constant high alert.. bucking/rearing no attention on humans at all just on her surroundings, it was very sad to witness so we soon moved yards (we've been here 3 months).. she settled in the new stable perfectly, it's a fantastically ran place with super facilities, we felt we'd had a breakthrough with her behaviour.. got around to the saddle fitting so my daughter could finally ride her, all seemed well in walk/trot to begin with.. moved on to canter, a big nope.. here come the bucking & rearing again .. she spooks at EVERYTHING!! I MEAN EVERYTHING. she will not canter on the right reign, has gotten slightly better on the left but it's still terrible.. she has no turn out at the moment due to winter that will happen come next month but we cannot put her in the turn out pens/sand pit so we can muck out or let her stretch her legs because she goes mental, pure maniac mode and wants to return to the stable ASAP! she breaks loose from the lead rope or bridle if walking her to the arena then freaks out bucking & rearing again we have a coach working with us & she's been seen by physio (pelvis was slightly misaligned which was sorted and tension throughout her back) feet & teeth checked, she's shod on the front. We are at a loss on what's going on .. it's like she only wants to stay in her stable, she's so happy there, eats very well, drinks well, rolls in her bed, plays.. but out the stable she's deranged, unpredictable & dangerous.. we cannot walk her around the yard to show her its fine as she freaks the hell out, she's not what we viewed & is like she has returned to being fully green & is now back at square one.. has anyone been in a similar situation with a new horse in new surroundings? Or have any advice at all on what can be causing all this chaos? I am in tears with stress & worry on the daily

Any & all advice welcome 🙏🏼
 
So many factors involved here, starting with how old is your daughter and how experienced are you with regards to owning well bred show jumping mares. Confidence is so key and potentially your mare isn’t feeling secure with you in the outside world which is why she is reluctant to leave her stable. Turn out is key..with another horse preferably. When you try to walk her around the yard have you a bridle on her, I would. Is she food orientated? I would walk a few steps and reward, stroke and praise..keeping your high energy as low as possible (hat and gloves to be worn). Lots of standing praising and calm. There’s a possibility of ulcers which might be making her ridden work unpredictable but it’s also possible your daughter just needs the “flying hours” on the mare to learn how to get the right tune from her. Have you had a sympathetic professional trainer ride her? Is her feed the same as prior to purchase? Keep it simple and maybe add magnesium calmer.
I really feel for you but like I said there are so many potential avenues to explore you really need eyes on the ground to help you. However there is a lot of experience on here and much help I’m sure will come after me.
 
Firstly, it would seem that the saddle didn't fit. Then what are you feeding her on? Is it exactly the same as her previous home fed?
I would cut her feed back to just hay currently, she obviously isn't using much energy if she is spending 24 hrs per day in a stable. Often horses react badly to alfalfa in feed but they can react badly to anything.
I'm sure this is very disappointing for your daughter, is there a pro instructor/rider involved? If not you need to find one ASAP.

What has the previous owner said about the situation?
 
Unfortunately you have set up the perfect storm to create a stressed horse who is not able to cope with what has changed in her life. There is no easy way back from this, it will cost you a lot of time and money and might not work.
First thing is a proper full vet check including an ulcer scope. I would also discuss some long term sedation strategies so she can get out the stable safely. She needs proper turn out.
Once that’s in place, you are probably going to need to pay a pro to get her back going under saddle. Pick someone calm, patient and very experienced. Explain your goals and work with them. Once she’s back in consistent work your daughter can get on at the end of the pro sessions for 10mins with their guidance and gradually increase that time.
There are no short cuts and you can’t miss out any stages.
 
Do you have any really good riders around you who could ride her a few times a week to get a feel for the situation? Blood horses aren't really the one to go from pro riding/handling to amateurs doing nothing with them and I can see how you've got a storm in a teacup going on.
 
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